June 6, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (June 6, 2014)—Claimed five starts back for a paltry $12,500, Seeking the Sherif kept his guns blazing on Friday at Santa Anita, as he took the day’s $63,000 allowance feature in gate to wire fashion by 2 &frac34; lengths, covering 6 &frac12; furlongs with Edwin Maldonado up in 1:15.73.
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June 5, 2014
WITH CARRYOVER OF $129,366, TOTAL THURSDAY PICK SIX POOL REACHES $790,929
ARCADIA, Calif. (June 5, 2014)—Kathleen Rose likes to keep it simple. With Edwin Maldonado at the controls, the 4-year-old California-bred filly by Good Journey once again darted to the lead out of the gate and won in gate to wire fashion for the third consecutive time Thursday, taking Santa Anita’s $65,000 allowance feature by 2 ¼ lengths while covering one mile on turf in 1:35.33.
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June 3, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (June 3, 2014)—Santa Anita Park’s seventh annual “Santa Anita Uncorked” wine and culinary festival will complement what could be one of the biggest days in racing history this Saturday, Belmont Stakes Day, as the racing world will be transfixed on the prospect of California-bred California Chrome seeking to become the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years.
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June 3, 2014
31st running of horse racing’s premier event to take place Oct 31-Nov. 1
ARCADIA, Calif. (June 3, 2014) - The Breeders' Cup and Santa Anita Park today announced that tickets are on sale to the general public for the 31st running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1. This year marks the eighth time that Santa Anita will host the Breeders’ Cup.
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May 31, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 31, 2014)—Seizing upon a rail opening at the top of the lane, Joe Talamo pointed Clubhouse Ride inside of heavily favored Fury Kapcori, with Corey Nakatani up, and prevailed in a head and head duel to the wire to win Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Californian Stakes by a half length while covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.74.
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May 31, 2014
GARY & MARY WEST HOMEBRED BY MORE THAN READY WINS THIRD IN-A-ROW WITH PERFECT TRIP
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 31, 2014)—The second choice at 2-1, Gary and Mary West’s homebred Room Service shipped in from Kentucky to win Saturday’s Grade I, $350,000 American Oaks by 2 &frac14; lengths under Shaun Bridgmohan, getting 1 &frac14; miles on turf in 2:01.28.
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May 30, 2014
PAIR OF LOCAL CHURCHES & DUARTE-BASED CITY OF HOPE IN-LINE TO RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 30, 2014)--Longtime fan Edward Espinoza, who along with his wife Susan, stands to win a $1 million bonus as the first-ever Santa Anita Derby Millionaire finalist should California Chrome win the Belmont Stakes Saturday, June 7, has announced that two local churches and a leading cancer research and treatment facility will receive charitable donations if “The Chrome” becomes racing’s first Triple Crown winner since 1978.
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May 30, 2014
Experts Weigh in on Whether California Chrome Will Win the Triple Crown
May 30, 2014 (Washington, PA) – Find out who the experts like in the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes! Xpressbet’s Belmont Stakes Wagering Guide is now available for download at www.xpressbet.com/BWG2014. In its seventh edition, the Wagering Guide remains free for customers and non-customers to download, print and use while handicapping the Third Jewel of the Triple Crown.read more Read More...

May 28, 2014
PRESTIGIOUS CALIFORNIAN IMPORTANT PREP TO GRADE I GOLD CUP AT SANTA ANITA ON JUNE 28
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2014)—A sensational front-running winner of his last four races, Jerry Hollendorfer’s Fury Kapcori heads a field of eight 3-year-olds and up in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Californian Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, an important steppingstone to the Grade I, $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 28.
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May 28, 2014
PRESTIGIOUS CALIFORNIAN IMPORTANT PREP TO GRADE I GOLD CUP AT SANTA ANITA ON JUNE 28
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2014)—A sensational front-running winner of his last four races, Jerry Hollendorfer’s Fury Kapcori heads a field of eight 3-year-olds and up in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Californian Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, an important steppingstone to the Grade I, $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 28.
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May 28, 2014
PRESTIGIOUS CALIFORNIAN IMPORTANT PREP TO GRADE I GOLD CUP AT SANTA ANITA ON JUNE 28
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2014)—A sensational front-running winner of his last four races, Jerry Hollendorfer’s Fury Kapcori heads a field of eight 3-year-olds and up in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Californian Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, an important steppingstone to the Grade I, $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 28.
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May 28, 2014
FIRST RUN IN 2002, PRESTIGIOUS OAKS TO BE STAGED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT SANTA ANITA
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2014)—Grade I winner Room Service heads a quality field of eight 3-year-old fillies set to contest 1 &frac14; miles on turf in the Grade I, $350,000 American Oaks, which will be run for the first time at Santa Anita on Saturday.
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May 26, 2014
MASSIVE TWO-DAY PICK SIX CARRYOVER OF $407,077 INTO FRIDAY, TOTAL POOL EXPECTED TO EXCEED $1.5 MILLION
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 26, 2014)—A Group I winner in her native Argentina, Ron McAnally’s Miss Serendipity, with Brice Blanc up, notched her first stateside win in a big way Monday at Santa Anita, winning the Grade I, $300,000 Gamely Stakes by a nose over well-fancied Emollient and Rosie Napravnik, while covering 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:46.22.
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May 26, 2014
ESPINOZA IS FIRST-EVER SANTA ANITA DERBY MILLIONAIRE FINALIST
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 26, 2014)—California Chrome’s immediate family aside, no one will be pulling any harder for the California-bred superstar to become racing’s first Triple Crown winner since 1978 than longtime Santa Anita fan Eddie Espinoza, who stands to bank a cool $1 million if “Chrome” wins the mile and one half Belmont Stakes on June 7.
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May 26, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 26, 2014)—The complexion of Monday’s Grade III, $100,000 Los Angeles Stakes at Santa Anita changed dramatically with two minutes to post, as it was announced 3-5 favorite Wild Dude had been scratched by the stewards on the recommendation of the track veterinarian. As a result, trainer Bruce Headley’s California-bred Cyclometer inherited the role of favorite and he acted accordingly, powering his way to a 2 &frac12; length win under Edwin Maldonado while getting six furlongs in 1:09.02.
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May 25, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2014)—Ridden by Mike Smith, Sky High Gal popped the gate and went straight to the early lead in Sunday’s $75,000 Mizdirection Stakes, but willingly conceded the pole position to Biorhythm and Drayden Van Dyke going to the half mile pole, rating kindly in second position to the furlong marker before going on to an impressive 1 &frac14; length score while getting 6 &frac12; furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:13.17.
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May 24, 2014
RUN FOR THE FIRST TIME AT SANTA ANITA, DRYSDALE WINS WHITTINGHAM FOR SEVENTH TIME; SINGLE WINNING PICK SIX TICKET PURCHASED IN LAS VEGAS PAYS $113,530
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 24, 2014)—Widely considered to be a front-running sort, trainer Neil Drysdale’s Fire With Fire was taken in-hand off the pace and came roaring through the lane to win Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes by a neck under Tyler Baze, getting a mile and a quarter on grass in 2:00.92.
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May 23, 2014
HEAVILY FAVORED HEAR THE GHOST OFF THE BOARD AT ODDS OF 4-5
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 23, 2014)—Patiently handled by Mike Smith, Godolphin Racing’s Footbridge took command three sixteenths of a mile from home and won Friday’s $60,000 allowance feature at Santa Anita by an authoritative 1 &frac12; lengths, while covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.36.
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May 23, 2014
PRESTIGIOUS FILLY & MARE STAKES ATTRACTS FIELD OF NINE AT 1 1/8 MILES ON TURF; UPSTART STORMY LUCY BIDS FOR THREE IN-A-ROW AND WILL BE RIDDEN FOR FIRST TIME BY TALAMO
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 23, 2014)—Trainer Bill Mott’s hard-hitting three-time Grade I winner Emollient heads a competitive field of nine fillies and mares in Monday’s Grade I, $300,000 Gamely Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Named for the three-time Eclipse Champion (1967, ’68 & ’69) Gamely, and previously run at Hollywood Park, the Gamely will be contested for the first time at Santa Anita on Monday.
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May 23, 2014
ADMISSION GATES TO OPEN AS PLANNED ON MONDAY AT 11 A.M., MANDATORY ‘RAINBOW’ PAYOUT IN PLAY
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 23, 2014)—With the prospect of mandatory payout on a Rainbow Pick Six pool from Gulfstream Park that could exceed $20 million, Santa Anita Park has announced that first post time on Monday, Memorial Day, has been adjusted to 1:30 p.m., 30 minutes later than originally scheduled.
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May 23, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 23, 2014)—Santa Anita Park has announced that it’s one mile main track will undergo a major renovation beginning July 11 that will result in the track transitioning to a single-source material consisting of highly coveted El Segundo Sand, a natural soil that will ensure balanced drainage during periods of wet weather and uniform, safe cushion year ’round.
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May 22, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 22, 2014)—With Saturday’s Preakness Stakes still fresh in the national sports psyche, California Chrome’s trainer and jockey, Art Sherman and Victor Espinoza, were treated royally by the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday night in Anaheim, as the pair each threw out a ceremonial first pitch and were comprehensively feted throughout the evening.
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May 21, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 21, 2014)—Hall of Fame trainers Ron McAnally and Neil Drysdale will again square off in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes, as McAnally’s Quick Casablanca and Drysdale’s Fire With Fire head a competitive field of nine 3-year-olds and up at a mile and a quarter on grass.
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May 20, 2014
Cashes $50,000 Win Bet on California Chrome in 139th Running of Preakness Stakes
May 19, 2014 (Washington, PA) –Tim Lanning, the Grand Prize Winner of Xpressbet’s $50K Preakness Big Bet Sweepstakes, is the most recent of Xpressbet’s Big Bet winners to turn winning the Sweepstakes into a significant payday at the windows. Armed with a $50,000 Win bet on the Preakness Stakes, Lanning traveled to Pimlico for the race and chose to place his wager on California Chrome, returning him a life-changing payout. Sent off as the 1-2 favorite, California Chrome stalked the pacesetters prior to striking the front and held off a late challenge from Ride On Curlin to win Saturday’s Preakness by 1 &frac12; lengths.
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May 18, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 18, 2014)—With an expanded racing calendar that calls for live racing in Arcadia through June 29, Santa Anita Park operated as a live racing entity on Preakness Stakes Day for the first time ever Saturday, resulting in significant increases in both attendance and handle when compared to last year’s figures at the now-shuttered Hollywood Park.
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May 18, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 18, 2014)—Jockey Victor Espinoza received a hero’s welcome Sunday at Santa Anita upon his return from Saturday’s 1 &frac12; length win in the Preakness Stakes aboard superstar California Chrome. The Preakness marked the California-bred colt’s sixth consecutive victory, which includes triumphs in the Kentucky and Santa Anita Derbies, the San Felipe Stakes, the California Cup Mile and the King Glorious Stakes—all accomplished in combination with the 41-year-old native of Mexico City.
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May 17, 2014
COURTESY OF GREAT RACE PLACE, CALIFORNIA CHROME PROVIDING PLENTY OF GOLD FOR WHITTIER COUPLE
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 17, 2014)—By winning today’s $1.5 million Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Md., superstar California Chrome continues to touch and indeed enrich the lives of many thousands of racing fans across the world, perhaps none more profoundly than longtime Santa Anita fan, Eddie Espinoza of nearby Whittier, who stands to win a cool million dollars should “The Chrome” win the mile and one half Belmont Stakes on June 7 and thereby become racing’s first Triple Crown winner in 36 years.
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May 17, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 17, 2014)—Santa Anita Thoroughbreds Club member Edward Pina Sr., of Los Angeles, picked up a tidy $10,000 on Saturday at Santa Anita, as he cashed a random “Mystery Mutuel” ticket voucher before the first race, which was run at 11:30 a.m.
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May 16, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 16, 2014)—Claimed for a paltry $12,500 four starts back on Dec. 28, trainer Ron Ellis’s rapidly improving Seeking the Sherif won his third race in-a-row Friday at Santa Anita, taking the track’s $60,000 allowance feature by three quarters of a length over favored Declassify while covering six furlongs under Edwin Maldonado in 1:08.75.
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May 15, 2014
ZENYATTA’S HALF SISTER, EBLOUISSANTE, AMONG SUPPORTING CAST OF FILLIES & MARES
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 15, 2014)—Grade I winner Let Faith Arise heads a field of 10 fillies and mares set to go 1 1/16 miles in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Adoration Stakes at Santa Anita, as she returns to Santa Anita following a fourth place run in Oaklawn Park’s Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap on April 11. Formerly run at the now-shuttered Hollywood Park, the Adoration will be contested for the first time at Santa Anita.
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May 14, 2014
TRACK TAKES PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AS LOCAL TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TO COOL CONSIDERABLY INTO THE WEEKEND
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 14, 2014)—Citing the effects of extremely dry conditions and temperatures that are expected to be more than 30 degrees above normal, Santa Anita Park has announced that live racing has been cancelled for Thursday. Santa Anita will be open as planned for simulcast wagering on Thursday. Although unseasonably hot temperatures are forecast throughout Southern California on Thursday, a cooling trend is expected to arrive Friday.
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May 14, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 14, 2014)—A winner of last year’s American Handicap at the now-shuttered Hollywood Park, front-running Obviously will try to overcome a 7 &frac12; month layoff as he faces another front-running sort in recent Grade I winner Winning Prize, who seeks his third graded win in-a-row in Saturday’s one mile turf Grade III, $100,000 American, which will be run for the first time at Santa Anita.
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May 13, 2014
Tristan de Burgh/Cassandra Brooksbank Team Wins in Judges' Voting; Chase Hagen Tabbed in Fan Favorite Category
Arcadia, CA, May, 13, 2014 — A pair of $10,000 first-prize winners were announced Saturday for the 2014 HRTV Film Festival at Santa Anita’s third annual "This is Santa Anita," a competition that required film makers to produce short subject films of under five minutes that were created solely at Santa Anita.
Tristan de Burgh (Beverly Hills) teamed with Cassandra Brooksbank and took the $10,000 Judges' Prize Award, with a film entitled, "Rush," while Chase read more Read More...

May 10, 2014
POPULAR JOCKEY WINS FIRST-EVER NORTH AMERICAN STAKES
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 10, 2014)—Arizona-bred Top Fortitude broke running and heavily favored Kobe’s Back didn’t, and the result was a stunning 30-1 upset in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Stakes. Ridden by Australian native Kayla Stra, who picked up her first-ever North American stakes win, Top Fortitude won by 1 &frac12; lengths over an unlucky Tonito M. while covering seven furlongs in 1:22.98.
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May 10, 2014
JOCKEY QUOTES
KAYLA STRA, TOP FORTITUDE, WINNER: “I think seven furlongs is more like a mile, so I keep that in mind and try not to put too much pressure on them early.
“He can handle it; he’s a strong horse. I think the outside post helped. I was riding so hard my saddle slipped back; I just wanted to make sure no one would get by me.
“I thought there would be two horses on the lead, maybe not the two that I thought but it still helped in how it worked out. I think everything went to plan. When I looked at the form it seemed pretty simple.read more Read More...

May 10, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 10, 2014)—Trevor Denman, the Voice of Santa Anita Park for more than 30 years, will take time off in the month of June to “freshen-up” before returning to call the Grade I Gold Cup at Santa Anita on Saturday, June, 28, which will highlight the track’s closing weekend racing action. In his absence, Frank Mirahmadi, who calls full-time at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas and in the summer at the majority of California’s Northern Fairs, will “pinch hit” for Denman for 10 racing days, beginning Thursday, June 12 through Friday, June 27.
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May 9, 2014
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 9, 2014)—Blake’s Magic tried two turns for the first time in her eight-race career on Friday and prevailed by a head in Santa Anita’s featured $30,000 Starfish starter allowance purse, getting one mile on turf in 1:35.20 under Aaron Gryder.
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